About

Kunsthal Aarhus

Kunsthal Aarhus is a contemporary art centre located at the centre of the city of Aarhus, Denmark.

The institution initiates, commissions, produces and presents art at an international level to local, regional, and international audiences. Kunsthal Aarhus creates art in a broad context, connected to other fields of human activity, other disciplines, and to a wider society as part of a sustainable approach.

It provides a research based participatory, collaborative and transdisciplinary platform for artistic experimentation and critical engagement. Kunsthal Aarhus strives to be an inclusive, transparent, dynamic and flexible institution that fosters the culture of appreciation and values diversity of contributions.

Museum without walls 2015 - 2017

Kunsthal Aarhus is moving out in the city to meet its citizens in their daily life.

The project aims to expand the institution beyond the physical structure of the building and expand its artistic remit from the gallery into public context. To open the institution up and facilitate a wider public participation, both physically and online, this is what we refer to as a “museum without walls”.

We are rethinking the idea of the future art institution. To be more precise, the idea is to transform Kunsthal Aarhus into a new type of art institution, which is more open, accessible and connected to the outside world. This thinking informs the longer term direction and a larger project for Kunsthal Aarhus that extends until 2017, and it is with great pleasure that we are able to collaborate with the Nordea Foundation that joins this project.

In relation to the long-term ambitions for 2017, the year when Aarhus is the European Capital of Culture, some elements of the project will be developed in cooperation with other partners including Fonden Aarhus 2017, and Aarhus University (PIT - Participatory IT Research Centre). The latter collaboration aims to develop participatory, interactive and social aspects of new projects based on critical use of social technologies.

“Museum Without Walls” (2015-2017) is supported by Nordea-fonden and Det Obelske Familiefond.

History

Kunsthal Aarhus was established in 1917 on the initiative of Aarhus Art Association of 1847, and it remains the only Kunsthal in Aarhus and one of the oldest in Denmark and Europe.

With its founding mission to "inspire and promote a general knowledge of the fine arts," it was received with great enthusiasm by the public and has since played a central role in developing and presenting international contemporary art in Denmark.

Originally designed by architect Høeg-Hansen, the institution went through a process of artistic and architectural expansions, most notably by C. F. Møller Architects in the 1990s and 2000s, to take its current form with over 1000 square metres of exhibition spaces.

From 2013, one of the first significant changes associated with the new programme is the development of a new visual identity in collaboration with the Danish strategic design firm Designit.

As part of the process of reconnecting its history and future vision, Århus Kunstbygning has been transformed into Kunsthal Aarhus.

What The Press Says

"Evans is present at Kunsthal Aarhus with the videoinstallation What the Heart Wants, which made great attention at the Berlin Biennale 2016, and let it be said right away: Thank you for that. It's a hit to get it to Aarhus. They rock at Kunsthal Aarhus!" -Ole Bak Jakobsen, kunsten.nu 04/02/2017 (Translated from Danish)

"'IWILLMEDIEVALFUTUREYOU5' is the best curated group exhibition I've seen in 2016. It is more future-crazed, precise and not to say the least more fun than the hyped Berlin Biennal, yes, almost containing a whole Biennal’s potential within itself: Theoretically, philosoficallly and aesthetically we are working with some broad perspectives, and the exhibition in Aarhus has more energy and curiosity than all of the Copenhagen Kunsthalls can conjure on any day in December. (...) I'm going to be seing the new 'Star Wars' film this Christmas, but if you are anywhere close to Aarhus, you should do yourself the favor of going by Kunsthal Aarhus. This is where the real star wars is being played out.- Mathias Kryger, Politiken 17/12/2016 (Translated from Danish)

"Thank you for updating me on your exhiting projects. This [The Pirate Cinema] I would love to see." Jørgen Leth, 2/2 2015

“Systemics #4 undermines any neat historicizing of such fragmentary moments by using the archive as an apparatus to both engage the original works and ponder the future of artistic practice itself... Like the rest of the exhibition, these works highlight the curators’ acute understanding that the new report published to accompany Systemics #4 inevitably presents only a partial account of an experimental project for future art historians seeking to reengage with the past."- Kerry Greaves, Artforum, critics' picks, 11/12/2014

‘Connecting with the past in order to re-approach the future might seem an attractive alternative to the current landscape, deplete of any new social visions beyond global capitalism.’ Line Ellegaard considers the strategies at play in an exhibition that reinterprets Århus Rapport 1961–1969, an anthology of experimental artistic activities in 1960s Denmark.- Line Ellegaard, Afterall, 19/12/2012

"Especially in the last one and a half years, the Kunsthal Aarhus has been steadily increasing attendance. At the opening of the exhibition of conceptual art series Systemics, the house is literally overrun with excited, inquisitive people."- Fatma Aydemir, Tageszeitung, Berlin, 23/01/2014

"There are few places in Denmark that will, or can manage to get to grips with thousands of Chinese everyday objects, intricately system theory and poetic machines."- Theis Vallø Madsen, kunsten.nu, 24/01/2014

"An impressive, uncompromising exhibitions series at Kunsthal Aarhus (...) shows the existential sides of the digital age (...) Nonetheless, it is clear, that the exhibitions series as a whole, brings out issues that have to be worked through, if you want to develop a political program today. The presentation of technological and historical experience is simply unusually stimulating." - Ellef Prestsæter, Klassekampen, Oslo, 26/03/2014

Volunteer in Kunsthal Aarhus

Would you like to be a part of a modern exhibition centre, an inspiring art environment, a team of volunteers?

Kunsthal Aarhus produces exhibition, run a great café and bookshop. We want to create an environment for everybody with an interest in contemporary art. As a volunteer you are able to be a part of this environment. No special skills are required. Only request is your dedication and effort towards our institution.

You must speak Danish and/or English. Exchange students are a natural part of our stab.

As a volunteer your role will be to: - contribute to a good experience for the audience- take 3 shifts per month, each approx. 3 hours- be a part of the permanent staff- do day-to-day operations and tasks related to the café, openings, workshops, presentations and other events- contribute to developing and creating the framework for a dynamic and living art institution

In return for your energy and commitment, we can offer you:- the opportunity to be involved in an inspiring art environment and to work side by side with other volunteers, curators, artists and employees in the institution- the opportunity to expand your network and develop your qualifications and thereby your resume- participation in openings and other events in the institution- international entry pass to museums worldwide- free membership of the KA Students and KA Friends associations- a course in barista technique

One of our volunteers says:"As a student at Aesthetics and Culture it is exciting for me to get an insight in how an exhibition place functions in practice. It is inspiring to be a part of the progress of Kunsthal Aarhus and hereby have a close look on what is going on within contemporary art right now."

If you want to hear more about being a volunteer you are always welcome to visit us or sent an email to Jenny:cafeadmin@kunsthal.dk

Board

Preben Mejer (Chair)Founder of the IT consultancy company Radar. Professional board member in diverse boards